The future was told on the Ammerman Campus

 

By: Lauren Maio

The future was told in the Cafeteria Alcove on the night of Nov. 10. The campus activities board held a Psychic fair for all students, faculty and staff to attend from 4pm to 8pm.

There were eight tables set up across the room with a gifted individual at each. They waited for a student or faculty member to be called up and would have a 10 min. reading with them. Each individual had a different specialty and each table had signs hanging on them . Tarot cards, career teller, handwriting analysis, palm reading, crystal ball reading, numerology readings and healers were all part of the festivities.

“I loved it”, said Allison Zentgraf, a freshman here at the campus. “ He said I was open-minded and creative with ideas and music.” She spoke to the handwriting analysis representative named Steve , who made her write a few sentences on a piece of paper and then began to tell her what kind of person she was and what might come in the future.

Another student, Jon Lopez, also sat with Steve and said “I guess it was true, but I really didn’t like it. He said I take a lot of responsibility and I was organized.” He also got the opportunity to speak to Harry, the numerology reader. “ The numerology reading was a lot better than the hand-writing analysis , he seemed more accurate. He said I was caring, intuitive and dutiful, which is true.”

Some students signed up to talk to multiple fortune tellers. Philip Mui, a student here on the Ammerman campus, talked to five of them and enjoyed his experience. “I got four readings and a handwriting analysis and I found common consistencies. I found the whole experience to be legit and revealing.”

As people were waiting to talk to the psychics, there was a table in the back where you could make your own dream catcher keychain. They were free and countless students were creating them with a variety of different colors. About 6 CAB members were working at the table to help others create dream catchers with the kits they received.

Kristina Mazur, the executive recruitment of the campus activities board, organized this activity. “I organized this because I’m a spiritual person and wanted to put people in a good mood.” This event was a great a success with about two dozen people there the whole night. Mazur also stated that “ This will give students a positive attitude since midterms are here and the psychics will not say anything negative.”

In order to get these eight psychics, Mazur had to advertise. She had papers up in the student lobby and even made announcements in the cafeteria on certain days. She explained how this was a free event because CAB was sponsoring it.

Steve, who constructed the handwriting analysis, explained that he does this as a freelancer and was getting paid to do this through an organizer. “My wife got me into hand-writing analysis about 10 years ago and thought I was perceptive with people”, he says. Working with college students is a great opportunity for him because he feels that they are eager to find out what ‘s in store for them, especially girls. “They are more open -minded “, he proclaims. Steve also adds that college students are willing to write more sentences that he can analyze. As soon as you sit with him, he asks you to write a paragraph about anything you want and to not think about how neat or sloppy your handwriting is. He can understand people the best when they write in the handwriting they use on a regular basis. “It’s hard to pick stuff out from people who don’t write a lot”, he says, as he explains why it is enjoyable to work at a college event.

The psychic fair provided various students with positive attitudes and much curiosity. CAB gave everyone on campus an entertaining evening as they left with dream catcher key chains and information about their lives and personalities. They hold events that bring students, faculty and staff together frequently. Check the calendar on the SCCC website for events that will be coming up in the near future such as a veteran’s display in the lobby of the Babylon student center and movies for everyone to enjoy!

Long Island facing serious addiction issues

By Ayse Dincsalman

While there are students who attend class regularly and respect the laws, there is a growing population of drug addiction amongst people their same age.

Law abiding students who come to class regularly, may not be aware of the growing popularity with heroin among their peers. Students should ask the questions: How much of a threat has addiction become, and how the addiction to such a powerful drug can take over one’s life?

For some, drugs may be just a phase in life, and for others it may take their life.

“I know people who started by taking synthetic heroin pills like oxycodons, and eventually switched to heroin because it was a cheaper and more satisfying high for them,” said James Yander, a criminal justice major at Suffolk. “These people are my age and still addicted to the drug” he said.

Students walk around campus all day, in and out of classes. They are not aware of who is doing what behind closed doors. It is more than possible that their peers have an addiction, or at least know someone with one.

According to the college crime statistics report, Suffolk has made a total of 42 arrests involving drugs between the Ammerman and Grant campuses since 2006. If students come to college on a mission to get an education, why are there so many arrests occurring?

On Oct 3, Newsday published an article about how the Smithtown area has been struggling with teenage heroin use. Michele DiBartolo, who was addicted to heroin for two years talked about her lifestyle on heroin. She kept her physical appearance right, her grades decent, and managed around the household. Nobody knew she was addicted Nobody could see her drug addiction coming.

“You would never guess that someone is addicted to heroin and they do certainly exist on campus, I know this for a fact,” said an anonymous source apart of Suffolk’s fitness specialist program.

The generation of college students has been told since elementary school that drugs are bad. The D.A.R.E program which encourages students to avoid drugs comes to all the 5th grade classes, and hopes to point kids in the right direction. The norm is to stay away from drugs, yet we still hear of the addictions from everywhere.

The new MTV series, “Gone too Far,” is a perfect example of how young students see the addiction everywhere. The show deals with a new heroin addict each week and their possible interventions. The question is whether or not these shows are helpful in preventing heroin abuse.

“I don’t think it makes it any better because people think those shows are phony and want to do drugs anyway,” said R. Jorgenson, a liberal arts major.

“I think drug addicts feel comfort when they see other people addicted to the same drug. They think it’s okay to be addicted,” said Matias, a student on the Eastern campus.

Students are not afraid to admit to the drug abuse occurring on campus. They admit to many wrong doings they have witnessed.

“The drugs I have seen on campus are heroin, ecstasy, and pot. The “library spot” is where it all goes down. Southampton is where you chug 40s of St. Ides,” said an anonymous liberal arts major.

“I got kicked out of class once for being way too drunk. I was passed out on the desk. A classmate of mine complained that I smelled like alcohol, and the teacher came and tried waking me up. I was told to leave,” said an anonymous male Ammerman campus student.

The Student Code of Conduct states the College reserves the right to take any necessary and/or appropriate steps to protect the safety and well-being of the college community. Consuming, possessing or distributing alcoholic beverages on College premises is a violation of the rules. Unlawfully possessing, distributing, or using any drug, narcotic, or hallucinogen that is prohibited by the law is punishable according to the code of conduct. Violating and state or local law will be considered a serious matter.

The History Club Experiences New York

Photo by Lisa Behnke

By: Lisa Behnke

Veterans Day is a day to honor the brave men and women who fought for our freedom; to celebrate those freedoms, the History club took a trip to visit the United Nations and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

After a brief security check, 32 two students, faculty and guests, were escorted through the halls of the UN. Their guides, Rona from Romania, and Nicole from Germany, provided an informative account of its history and of the 192 members, and of its Security General, Ban K. Moon of South Korea. Discussed, were the eight key components to the mission of the United Nations:

1.Food
2.Education
3.Promote Gender Equality
4.Reduce Child Mortality
5.Improve Mental Health
6.Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other Diseases
7.Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8.Global Partnership for Development

A pictorial display of these components, were among the walls preceding the entrance into the chamber. The chamber, a very large well-lit room, is where members discuss security concerns and have an opportunity to be heard. At the end of the tour, students had a chance to shop at the unique gift shop, where many countries goods were represented.

Back to the bus for a trip across town, the driver pulled in near the harbor, where the USS Intrepid, and to everyone’s delight, the USS New York was docked. People lined the streets for miles for a chance to board the vessel. Veterans Day was the last day for visits on the USS New York, until its return on Memorial Day weekend next year.

On the USS Intrepid, military personnel outnumbered civilians by a two to one margin. Many who volunteer their time, come to offer a glimpse into the history of the Intrepid. Daniel S. Fruchter, a 92-year-old veteran, spoke about his experience in World War II and how he survived at Pearl Harbor. Daniel has dedicated the past 21 years as a volunteer on the Intrepid. He continues to return, “to prick your conscious,” Daniel said. “To never forget those who fought and died.”

Quite impressive on deck, the Air National Guard’s Combat Search and Rescue Squad displayed their Pave Hawk Helicopter. The group had flown out that morning from West Hampton’s Gabresky Air Force Base. Demonstrations and official ceremonies were ongoing throughout the day. Also, on board to announce her efforts with the USO was the recently crowned Miss USA. Press and paparazzi gathered around her while she spoke about spending Thanksgiving with the troops.

Overall a successful trip, students arrived back at the Ammerman campus by 6 pm ready to prepare for class the next morning.